Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract On Some Serum Liver Marker Enzymes (AST, ALT) In Gentamicin Intoxicated Rats

Abstract

Background: Liver is an essential metabolic organ. It can be damaged due to prolonged use and higher doses of drugs, exposure to some chemicals, toxins, or infectious agents. Herbal plants as ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) may have free radical scavenging activity thereby can be used for the prevention and treatment of liver damage. Objective: To observe the effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on gentamicin induced changes of some liver marker enzymes e,g serum aspartate amino transferase (AST ) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) in Wistar albino rats. Methods: This experimental study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC), Dhaka from 1 st July 2010 to 30 th June 2011. A total number of 35 Wistar albino rats, aged 90 to 120 days, weighing between 150 to 200 grams were selected for the study. After acclimatization for 14 days, they were divided into control group (Group A) and experimental group (Group B). Control group was again subdivided into group A 1 (baseline control, consisted of 10 rats) and group A 2 (gentamicin treated control group, consisted of 10 rats). Again, experimental group (Group B-ashwagandha pretreated and gentamicin treated group) consisted of 15 rats. All groups of animals received basal diet for 22 consecutive days. In addition to this, group A 2 also received gentamicin subcutaneously (100mg /kg body weight/day) for the last eight (15 th to 22 nd day) consecutive days. Again, group B received ashwagandha root extract (500mg/kg body weight/day, orally) for 22 consecutive days and gentamicin subcutaneously (100mg/kg body weight /day) for last eight (15 th to 22 nd day) days. All the animals were sacrificed on 23 rd day. Then blood and liver samples were collected. For assessment of liver function, serum AST, ALT and bilirubin levels were estimated. All these tests were done by standard Laboratory technique. The statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA and Bonferroni test as applicable. Results: The mean serum levels of AST and ALT were significantly (p<0.001) higher in gentamicin treated control group and in ashwagandha pretreated and gentamicin treated group in comparison to those of baseline control group. . Again, these levels were significantly (p<0.001) lower in ashwagandha pretreated and gentamicin treated group than those of gentamicin treated control group. Conclusion: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract restored serum AST, ALT towards normal levels in gentamicin intoxicated rats which may be due to its free radical scavenging activity. Therefore it may have hepatoprotective effect.

Evaluation of Immune Biomarkers After Oral Administration of Biofield Energy Healing Based Herbomineral Formulation in Male &lt;i&gt;Sprague Dawley&lt;/i&gt; Rats

“…Based on the literature it was reported that ashwagandha reduced the level of SGOT level in rats. The data were corroborated with the current findings [40]. …”

Effect of Helichrysum plicatum DC. subsp. plicatum ethanol extract on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

“…Gentamicin is a well-known potent, broad spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic with a low cost and high effectiveness when used against Gram-negative infections (Banday et al, 2008;Salem et al, 2010). However, gentamicin use has been restricted and gentamicin is used carefully owing to its effect of causing nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity (Stojiljkovic and Stoiljkovic, 2006;Raju et al, 2011;Nayma et al, 2012;Masakazu et al, 2014). The present study has shown the effects of HPE and how it develops gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.…”

“…Evidence has indicated that the hepatotoxicity of gentamicin subsequently leads to necrosis and degenerative changes in the hepatocytes (Stojiljkovic and Stoiljkovic, 2006;Nayma et al, 2012;Mahmood et al, 2014;Masakazu et al, 2014). In this study, gentamicin-administered groups (Group IV) showed remarkable degenerative changes and necrosis in the hepatocytes; mononuclear cells had infiltrated within portal areas and proliferation of Kupffer cells.…”

“…Aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin sulphate is frequently used for the treatment of Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Proteus, and Serratia (Corona et al, 2014;Shrestha and Haylor, 2014). It has been a most powerful therapeutic drug against bacterial strains that are resistant to other antibiotics in many conditions; however, its use is limited due to the side effects of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity (Martínez-Salgado et al, 2007;Nayma et al, 2012;Mahmood et al, 2014). When the effects of gentamicininduced nephrotoxicity are not completely known, suggested pathological effects include induction of apoptosis, necrosis, oxidative stress, an increase in monocyte/macrophages infiltration, and elevation of endothelin I (Sumbul et al, 2003;Süzgec et al, 2005).…”

Effect of Biofield Energy Healing (The Trivedi Effect&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt;) Based Novel Herbomineral Formulation on Immune Biomarkers After Oral Administration in Female &lt;i&gt;Sprague Dawley&lt;/i&gt; Rats

“…Thus, it is assumed that the reduction of SGPT value might be due to the effect of Biofield Energy Healing to the test formulation. From literature it was reported that ashwagandha reduced the level of SGPT level in rats [44]. This findings could be due to the presence of ashwagandha root extract and other minerals in the test formulation …”